New Ulm weekly review., 1887-10-05


It no d OH Els. But she has 81 good
many friends. "A most charming lady
Ah!'' ord was inwardly
greatly amused, and congra tulated
himself on a tact which concealed his
own identity and artfully led to asub-
ject in which he was Immediately IN
terested. But in an other hour he
would be in Vernon, and sagacious
prud dence suggested another line OF in
quiry.
'.Then Mrs. Sutherland is rather Sc
cluded in her manner Of living?"
Il suppose she is at home now, en-
tertaing her friend 5#..
"Yes- but no-come to think. of it,
she is not at home just now. / saw
her depart on a train this morning."
The lady's eyes sparkled as if in
amusement at Mr.. Ford's inquiring
mood.
And did her friend 60 with her?''
"No. Iheard someone remark that
Mrs. Ford was confined to the house
by a headache. But you seem to take
a strong interest in Mrs. Sutherland
and Mrs. Ford
"Oh, not particularly The subject
seemed to interest you, and SO it in
terested me" Without waiting to OBJ
serve the effect OF this sympathetic re-
mark, MIR. Ford added: 'sOf course
you know Mrs. Sutherland"
II hardly know whether / do ornot
do not speak to her once a year."
The lady eyes had curious sparkle,
but she Immediately continued: "To
know one is something that can hard
ly be defined, / think. We can recog-
nize features, but to truly know, even
an intimate friend-I mean his or her
inward thoughts, motives and pur-
poses-is something quite rare, l
think"
"Ah, you are inclined to be philoso-
phical.''
Then the conversation drifted and
finally Jagged. The lady gazed alb
stractedly out of the window, while
Mr.. Ford again looked over his news
paper. The eagerness Of pursuit was
upon him, however, and he finally
folded his paper and introduced topic
after topic with view to enhancing
the interest of his companion.
He had not yet reached the point
of inquiring her name or OF offering
his own card when the train drew up
to the Vernon station. Then a few
thoughts passed through his mind.
His wife was probably sleeping off her
headache. her hostess was absent
from town, and the forgotten telegram
had failed to give warming OF his ar
rival. Why should he not take ad-
vantage of these circumstance and OF
the fact that he was stranger in
Vernon, and devote a few hours to his
own amusement? His mind was
quickly make up. =
When the train stopped he assisted
the lady to alight, but retained her
small packages in his own hands.
"My bundles, please" she said.
"Allow me to carry them,'' he
ttBy no means!" she exclaimed, and
he surrendered them reluctantly.
..'Many thanks. Good morning"
"Must it be good morning?" he ask
ed, insinuatingly.
Certainly" she replied, with a
slightly annoyed look, and speaking
in such a decided tone that he was
| forced to submit
Then she tripped away, his eyes fol-
lowing her regrettully. He himself al
| SO followed her at a respectful dis
tance, keeping her moving form con-
stantly in view.
| Truly, M. Ford was infatuated.
| Once free from the throng at the sta
ton, he stepped to the opposite side
OF the street, but never once lost sight
! of the waving plume which adorned
his late companions hat. Like bea-
con light he kept it in view, and he
! was led first up a business street, then
through a shaded avenue, and finally
| past park and into a side street
bordered on either side with elegant
| dwelling It did not occur to Mr.
Ford that he might be committing an
indlscreet act. He hastened nearer
the tossing white plume and it's owner,
and finally reached a gate just as the
lady had traversed a short path and
was ascending the stoop Of a house.
Why will she not look around? All,
she turns her head.
Mr.. Ford lifted his hat, smiled be-
nignantIy, and made a profound bow.
Yes, he had caught her eye. Would
she smile?
Suddenly Mr.. Ford was frozen with
horror. A look OF awful dismay came
over his face and he stood as ii pet1i-
fled, gazing at face which appeared
a5 the window.
There sat his wife, looking at him
with pleased, surprised and puzzled
expression Of countenance. He re-
manned for moment in a statuesque
attitude, much to the bewilderment
Of the lady whom he had followed,
and who now stared at him in sur
prise not unmixed with amusement.
Mr.. Ford thought with the rapidity
ofa drowning man. This must be the
house where his wife was visiting. Ref
uge in flight was impossible. and he
| quickly made up his mind to take the